Update — GA Takes Up Dangerous Gun Law, June 7

Representatives in the General  Assembly are scheduled to take up H.B. 746 this afternoon. Calls are still needed against this bill.

As our friends at NC Policy Watch reported, the North Carolina Association of Police Chiefs and others in law enforcement have come out again H.B. 746 because of their concerns for public safety. Their article reads in part:

House Bill 746 would, with a few exceptions, remove the state’s requirement for a concealed carry permit, allowing anyone 18 or older who legally owns a handgun to carry to conceal it except where expressly prohibited.

The bill does away with a requirement for state approved safety courses required by sheriffs’ offices, which issue concealed carry permits under the current law.

The North Carolina Association of Police Chiefs came out against the bill this week, as did some of the state’s most prominent law enforcement officers.

“Repeal of the concealed carry permit requirement eliminates a valuable method to identify persons who should not be carrying a firearm, such as the mentally ill, convicted felons and identified gang members,” the association said in a written statement. “The NCACP opposes the repeal of the concealed carry permit system as detrimental to the safety of the public and law enforcement officers.”

North Carolinians Against Gun Violence is continuing to urge calls to key GA members. They include:

John Bradford – district 98, Mecklenburg – 919-733-5828

Bill Brawley – district 103, Mecklenburg – 919-733-5800

Chris Malone – district 35, Wake – 919-715-3010

Nelson Dollar – district 36, Wake- 919-715-0795

Chuck McGrady – district 117, Henderson – 919-733-5956

Ted Davis – district 19, New Hanover – 919-733-5786

Jon Hardister – district 59, Guilford – 919-733-5191

Stephen Ross, district 63, Alamance – 919-733-5820

Greg Murphy, district 9, Pitt – 919-733-5757

Susan Martin, district 8, Pitt and Wilson – 919-715-3023

As faithful people, we recognize that easier access to guns does not make us safer or more peaceful and can, indeed, yield the opposite results. In particular, as we approach the second anniversary of the attack at Mother Emanuel AME, we are reminded that gun-related violence can invade even our churches. Please be heard on this critical issue.